Any last generation preludes?

My first car was a 1989 Prelude, and even after driving and owning a variety of great cars, I miss it the most. I tossed the idea around of eventually finding another 88-91 generation (or even an 86/87), but they all seem to be beaten or rusted to pieces and I just can't seem to find one worth snatching up.

That said, I also always liked the last generation Prelude and wanted to buy one in college back in 2001, but my sensible side (and finances) leaned me into a civic instead.

I know these cars have some transmission issues for the automatics, but is this widespread across all years? Anyway to prevent failure or at least a course of preventative maintenance?

Are you suggesting you want an automatic?

I like these too. They were hard to find when they were new, and harder to find now. I have not seen a clean example in years. I tried buying one back around 2001 for a daily driver, but the dealer I worked for at the time had it astronomically priced. Also, it had an automatic.

Also, I haven't seen a clean, un-riced Prelude from any generation in YEARS up here in the Northeast.

Haha no I am not suggesting that necessarily, but if there was a great deal on an auto, I wouldn't turn away. Though, if the tendency to repeatedly explode is true, than yes I would turn away. They all seem to either be completely overpriced for a 10 year old Honda, or riced out and on their last broken legs.

I drove an auto SH or SI, don't remember off the top of my head, but I do remember the auto killing it. I have never driven a manual, but I imagine it would be a completely different experience.

Not an expert on them, but I looked into them at one point. From what I've heard, beyond the weak auto trans, they're pretty bullet proof. But finding an un-Pep Boyz'd one, in stick, is unicorn piss. And if you do find it, it brings a premium.

My only ownership experience with the Prelude is from years ago. Back in '97-'98 I bought an '81 Prelude from it's original owner. Think I paid $150 for it. Had a shop I know do some neglected maintenance for me and drove the wheels off it. Valve guides were worn, so it killed mosquitoes at every start up, body was beat. But damn, if it didn't run like a top and was a hoot to drive (5spd). Had a monster sunroof...and working a/c. Quite slow, but also got something like 38mpg.

I want a 1g prelude BAD.. so color me jealous!!

The last gen prelude dont seem too hard to find down here?

I enjoy the 2nd and 3rd generations as well. Like I said, I had an '89 third gen car which I loved till a tree fell on it. I'd love to find a 90 or 91 with a stick that hasn't rusted into oblivion. I grew up with an aunt who drove a 2nd generation, I think it was an '84. It went on for years and eventually made it's way through my extended family till it finally gave up the ghost only 2 or 3 years ago.

5th gens are at the bottom of their depreciation curve, it seems. I'd daily the E36 M3 out of a nice SH, if that exists. I've seen LOTS of ratty 5th gens lately that I wouldn't consider trading my Accord for.

Are you anywhere near PA?

http://york.craigslist.org/cto/3864509324.html

http://allentown.craigslist.org/cto/3864529583.html

Klayfish wrote: Are you anywhere near PA? http://york.craigslist.org/cto/3864509324.html http://allentown.craigslist.org/cto/3864529583.html

Both bases and about $1000-1500 more than they're actually worth.

This is another car that I thought would look amazing as a convertible, and be an all-around great car as such.

What is with the key condom?

Atlanta!

http://atlanta.craigslist.org/atl/cto/3944510329.html

No info on gearbox:
http://atlanta.craigslist.org/sat/cto/3927534997.html

Cheaper, but this one's an automatic.
http://atlanta.craigslist.org/atl/cto/3926044550.html

There's a few more that look like they haven't been riced up that bad. Unfortunately, the sellers still think modded ones are more valuable than stock ones.

I owned one of these up until last January. Fantastic car with excellent handling. My particular car had coilovers and poly bits and pieces...the handling was mind boggling. It would also give me 32 mpg on long trips when I traveled from state to state. I ended up selling the car to pursue an S2000 CR, and I truly hope the teenager I sold it to hasn't ruined it. Still think about it sometimes

pres589 wrote: This is another car that I thought would look amazing as a convertible, and be an all-around great car as such.

When I was young and dumb I thought these were RWD and my boner for them quickly diminished when I was informed they were FWD. Not such a turn off for me now as I don't mind FWD they just look like they should be RWD like a smaller brother to an S2K.

pres589 wrote: This is another car that I thought would look amazing as a convertible, and be an all-around great car as such.

When I was young and dumb I thought these were RWD and my boner for them quickly diminished when I was informed they were FWD. Not such a turn off for me now as I don't mind FWD they just look like they should be RWD like a smaller brother to an S2K.

pres589 wrote: This is another car that I thought would look amazing as a convertible, and be an all-around great car as such.

When I was young and dumb I thought these were RWD and my boner for them quickly diminished when I was informed they were FWD. Not such a turn off for me now as I don't mind FWD they just look like they should be RWD like a smaller brother to an S2K.

http://washingtondc.craigslist.org/nva/cto/3943495268.html

clean rare! zomg http://washingtondc.craigslist.org/nva/ctd/3885393358.html

^^ you're quick. I was just looking at those when I first saw this thread, then got distracted, and by the time I came back here you had posted them. Nice.

I will raise you this one, in Baltimore

http://baltimore.craigslist.org/ctd/3915068565.html

The last Prelude, (97-02)? is the only Honda other than the S2000 that gets my attention. The styling is clean and sharp instead of another anonymous blob and limited slip front diff to boot if you find a SH model.

friedgreencorrado wrote: Atlanta! No info on gearbox: http://atlanta.craigslist.org/sat/cto/3927534997.html

Did anybody else catch this?

"1998 Black Honda Prelude with 1,75,815 miles"

How many miles is that exactly?

sethmeister4 wrote:

friedgreencorrado wrote: Atlanta! No info on gearbox: http://atlanta.craigslist.org/sat/cto/3927534997.html

Did anybody else catch this? "1998 Black Honda Prelude with 1,75,815 miles" How many miles is that exactly?

All of the miles?

The wife picked one up for a 2nd car last year and kept it for a few months. Finding a clean one isn't as bad as say finding a clean Civic. This one was a 5-speed base model. Phenomenal stock handling! Decent thrust. Possibly the best-driving FWD car ever. Expect to pay near $4500 for a clean, low-mileage one. Not the sort of car I'd consider with an automatic.